Purpose
To determine the specific benefits of yoga in the geriatric population. Also, to determine if yoga is appropriate in certain pathologies that are common in geriatrics.
Objective
What is yoga?
Learn about the incorporation of yoga exercises into exercise routine for geriatrics
Potential benefits of yoga program in geriatric population
Specific pathologies that are common in geriatrics and the benefits of yoga
Suggestions for teaching yoga to the geriatric populations
What is yoga?
Yoga is defined as an ancient art that unionizes a person’s mind, body, and soul according to yoga.org. Practicing yoga can lead a person to a sense of peace, well-being, and at one with the environment. There are over 100 types of yoga that are currently practiced today. Yoga is believed to have a positive effect on strength, flexibility, cardiovascular, pulmonary, digestive, hormonal, and balance deficits(yoga.org).
Why should the geriatric population practice yoga? (Evidence based)
A number of studies have shown the benefits of the elderly population practicing yoga. Roland et al. performed a critical review of 10 studies that included 544 participants. Moderate improvements were shown in gait, balance, upper/lower extremity flexibility, lower extremity strength, and weight loss(Roland et al). Furthermore, a systematic review conducted by Patel et al. concluded that yoga may be superior to conventional exercise in older adults. However, it was also suggested that larger studies with more controlled methods would be needed in the future to make more definitive statements. In addition, a Silver Yoga exercise program conducted by Chen et al. showed that a 24 week yoga exercise program significantly improved physical fitness measures in frail older adults compared to a control group.
Benefits
Improved breathing and respiration
Improved posture
Improved circulation
Improved flexibility
Improved balance
Improved strength
Improved gait
Improved sleep
Decreased stress
Many types of yoga to choose from
Can be used at home and/or physical therapy facility
Yoga & Common Geriatric Disorders
There is research that shows that yoga has had a positive impact on common geriatric disorders including CVA, Alzheimer’s, and osteoarthritis. However, most of these studies were limited in that there were very small sample sizes and did not have controlled methods. Cheung et al. conducted an 8 week study on yoga for elderly women with knee arthritis and results showed improved WOMAC scores in pain, stiffness, and repeated chair stands in the group receiving yoga. A journal article published by Bastille and Gill-Body in the APTA regarding yoga and its effect on chronic stroke patients saw improved Time Movement Battery Scores in three out of four subjects and improved Berg Balance Scores in two out of four subjects when subjects practiced yoga two times weekly. In the Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy, an article stated that yoga showed small improvements in 8 subjects who had Alzheimer’s. Among the small improvements were memory, depression, quality of life, and functionality. Not all of these improvements were seen in every patients as results varied from patient to patient (Gallego et al).
How Can Physical Therapy Get Involved?
Physical therapy and yoga have a lot of similarities in that the goals in both are often the same. Patients often attend physical therapy to improve function, strength, balance, flexibility, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life. Yoga has a variety of styles and can be applied to nearly any population, including geriatrics. Yoga can be done in a group setting, individually at home, or in any type of physical therapy setting. Another benefit is that it can be free if an individual chooses to practice on their own. Also, not only could yoga be incorporated into physical therapy treatment sessions, it could be used as a home exercise program for patients. It is important for the physical therapy profession to be aware of the benefits of yoga and possibly provide patients with education and resources regarding information about yoga.
Suggestions
Develop a patient baseline and start out small and slow for new beginners
Incorporate correct and controlled breathing patterns throughout movements
Be aware of certain conditions where controlled breathing could be problematic (COPD etc)
Provide appropriate education and resources to patients interested in yoga
Avoid excessive floor exercises in the geriatric population
Use a calm and encouraging voice to patients during instruction
Instruct patients correctly in performing movements slow and under control
Progress movements based on patient response
Recommend yoga practice 1-2 x weekly with appropriate items (chairs, blocks, stable surface, etc)
Roland, Kaitlyn P., Jennifer M. Jakobi, and Gareth R. Jones. "Does yoga engender fitness in older adults? A critical review." Journal of aging and physical activity 19.1 (2011): 62-79.
Patel, Neela K., Ann H. Newstead, and Robert L. Ferrer. "The effects of yoga on physical functioning and health related quality of life in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis." The journal of alternative and complementary medicine 18.10 (2012): 902-917.
Chen, Kuei-Min, et al. "Silver yoga exercises improved physical fitness of transitional frail elders." Nursing research 59.5 (2010): 364-370.
Cheung, Corjena, et al. "Yoga for managing knee osteoarthritis in older women: a pilot randomized controlled trial." BMC complementary and alternative medicine 14.1 (2014): 1.
Bastille, Julie V., and Kathleen M. Gill-Body. "A yoga-based exercise program for people with chronic poststroke hemiparesis." Physical Therapy 84.1 (2004): 33-48.
Gallego, Q., et al. "Effects of Hatha-Yoga program on a small group with Alzheimer’s disease." Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy 1.3 (2011): 1000104.
To determine the specific benefits of yoga in the geriatric population. Also, to determine if yoga is appropriate in certain pathologies that are common in geriatrics.
Objective
What is yoga?
Yoga is defined as an ancient art that unionizes a person’s mind, body, and soul according to yoga.org. Practicing yoga can lead a person to a sense of peace, well-being, and at one with the environment. There are over 100 types of yoga that are currently practiced today. Yoga is believed to have a positive effect on strength, flexibility, cardiovascular, pulmonary, digestive, hormonal, and balance deficits(yoga.org).
Why should the geriatric population practice yoga? (Evidence based)
A number of studies have shown the benefits of the elderly population practicing yoga. Roland et al. performed a critical review of 10 studies that included 544 participants. Moderate improvements were shown in gait, balance, upper/lower extremity flexibility, lower extremity strength, and weight loss(Roland et al). Furthermore, a systematic review conducted by Patel et al. concluded that yoga may be superior to conventional exercise in older adults. However, it was also suggested that larger studies with more controlled methods would be needed in the future to make more definitive statements. In addition, a Silver Yoga exercise program conducted by Chen et al. showed that a 24 week yoga exercise program significantly improved physical fitness measures in frail older adults compared to a control group.
Benefits
Yoga & Common Geriatric Disorders
There is research that shows that yoga has had a positive impact on common geriatric disorders including CVA, Alzheimer’s, and osteoarthritis. However, most of these studies were limited in that there were very small sample sizes and did not have controlled methods. Cheung et al. conducted an 8 week study on yoga for elderly women with knee arthritis and results showed improved WOMAC scores in pain, stiffness, and repeated chair stands in the group receiving yoga. A journal article published by Bastille and Gill-Body in the APTA regarding yoga and its effect on chronic stroke patients saw improved Time Movement Battery Scores in three out of four subjects and improved Berg Balance Scores in two out of four subjects when subjects practiced yoga two times weekly. In the Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy, an article stated that yoga showed small improvements in 8 subjects who had Alzheimer’s. Among the small improvements were memory, depression, quality of life, and functionality. Not all of these improvements were seen in every patients as results varied from patient to patient (Gallego et al).
How Can Physical Therapy Get Involved?
Physical therapy and yoga have a lot of similarities in that the goals in both are often the same. Patients often attend physical therapy to improve function, strength, balance, flexibility, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life. Yoga has a variety of styles and can be applied to nearly any population, including geriatrics. Yoga can be done in a group setting, individually at home, or in any type of physical therapy setting. Another benefit is that it can be free if an individual chooses to practice on their own. Also, not only could yoga be incorporated into physical therapy treatment sessions, it could be used as a home exercise program for patients. It is important for the physical therapy profession to be aware of the benefits of yoga and possibly provide patients with education and resources regarding information about yoga.
Suggestions
Resources
References